Acidic Cleaning Composition with Ethoxylated Surfactant for Uniform Bowl Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard surface cleaning compositions struggle with achieving uniform coverage on inclined surfaces like toilet bowls, leading to ineffective cleaning due to the formation of 'fingers' that create channels and leave untreated zones, requiring reapplication or manual intervention which is wasteful and can cause uneven application.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous, thickened, acidic compositions with a pH of 4 or less, containing a thickening system, detersive surfactants, and a nonionic superwetter surfactant based on a narrow range ethoxylated alcohol with two cloud points, which improves surface coverage and retention on vertical or inclined surfaces without separating into fingers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a viscous cleaning composition is used to provide good coverage and retention on inclined surfaces, then surface coverage is improved, but the composition separates into discrete downwardly extending regions (fingers) that create channels and leave untreated zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the rheological parameters of the cleaning composition by incorporating specific polymers (polyacrylate, polyacrylamide, carboxymethyl cellulose) and surfactants to achieve optimal viscosity and flow characteristics. This allows the composition to maintain uniform coating on inclined surfaces without separating into fingers, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and coating uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite formulations combining multiple polymers, surfactants (including ethoxylated quaternary ammonium compounds and nonionic surfactants), and cleaning agents. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect where the polymer network provides uniform flow while surfactants ensure wetting and coverage, preventing finger formation while maintaining broad surface coverage
2Reliability
If the cleaning composition is applied to ensure good coverage, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but reapplication is required which is wasteful of the cleaning composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates the composition with sufficient concentration of active cleaning agents, surfactants, and polymers to ensure complete and lasting coverage in a single application. The excess polymer and surfactant concentrations prevent runoff and ensure the entire surface remains covered without needing reapplication, eliminating waste while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting the viscosity and surface tension parameters through polymer and surfactant selection, the composition achieves optimal retention on vertical and inclined surfaces. This parameter optimization ensures the cleaning solution remains in place long enough to be effective without running off and requiring additional applications
3Area of stationary object
If manual intervention with a toilet brush is used to spread the cleaning composition to uncoated zones, then coverage is improved, but the applied cleaning composition is undesirably diluted and scraped from the interior wall
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning composition is formulated to self-distribute uniformly across the surface through its rheological properties and surfactant content. The polymer network and surface-active agents work together to ensure the composition spreads evenly and adheres to the surface without requiring mechanical intervention, preventing dilution and loss of cleaning agents that would occur with brush application
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compositions provide improved, uniform coverage on inclined surfaces, reducing the need for reapplication and manual intervention, while maintaining viscosity and efficacy, ensuring effective cleaning and sanitizing benefits.
Implementation Method 1
a nonionic superwetter surfactant based on a narrow range ethoxylated alcohol with two cloud points, which improves surface coverage and retention on vertical or inclined surfaces
Implementation Method 2
Aqueous, thickened, acidic compositions with a pH of 4 or less, containing a thickening system
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to hard surface cleaning compositions useful in cleaning, and optionally a disinfecting or sanitizing benefit which are particularly adapted to clean lavatory appliances, particularly toilets and the like. The compositions are largely aqueous, thickened, acidic compositions which comprise an acid, a thickening constituent or constituents which form a thickener system, at least one detersive surfactant and at least one superwetter surfactant which is based on a narrow range ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant having two cloud points.